Pashmina Wool

Pashmina is the finest and most luxurious wool on the planet. Owing to its exceptional softness, light weight and elegance, it is also referred to as the 'Soft Gold' in Kashmir, India. Pashmina is synonymously called as cashmere wool in most parts of the world. Though factually all pashmina is cashmere but not all cashmere wool is pashmina. Pashmina wool is an ultra-thin fibre of diameter between 12 and 15 microns, while cashmere wool is little thicker comparatively, of diameter between 15 and 19 microns, although both belong to the category of fine grade luxurious wool. Cashmere wool is sourced from various different breeds of cashmere goats that are now reared in different parts of the world, and produce fibres of varying thickness. China is the largest producer of raw cashmere wool, followed by Mongolia. Other countries like Afghanistan, Iran, Turkey, Australia and New Zealand also produce cashmere wool but in lesser amounts.

Pashmina, a subset of Cashmere wool, is derived from the undercoat of specific breed of Himalayan goat i.e. Changthangi goats (capra hircus), reared in Ladakh region in India, Tibet, Nepal and parts of Burma, at an altitude of around 4100 metres above sea level, with temperature dropping to -40°C in winters. To survive this extreme harsh and cold climate, Changthangi goat naturally grows an exceptionally soft, warm and lustrous fleece under the outer fur, which gets shed at the beginning of summers and again regrows in winters. The herders collect this fleece by combing the goats and not shearing, unlike in other wools, and sell this raw fibre to Kashmiri weavers. The handloom weavers of Kashmir have truly perfected the craft of hand weaving delicate Pashmina with the knowledge and skill set passed down to them through generations, to transform this raw fleece into beautiful shawls, scarves, stoles and throws, etc. which has now positioned Pashmina as a symbol of luxury and remarkable craftsmanship. Indian government is continuously encouraging the rearing of pashmina-goats, and for a more scientific breeding policy, which could improve the yield of fleece and hence much better price for the herders. Image Credits: Changthangi goats in Ladakh | CC BY-SA 4.0 DEED